Masturbation refers to the sexual stimulation of one’s genitals to achieve sexual pleasure. It is usually carried out using one’s fingers and hands but can also enlist the use of everyday objects and sex toys. It helps an individual achieve sexual satisfaction without the help of a partner.
Masturbation is considered taboo and/or looked down upon in many cultures worldwide. It is often seen as an inappropriate behavior that should be avoided.
This has brought a sense of guilt to many people who practice masturbation. It has also given rise to many ill beliefs about the effects related to masturbation.
Masturbation and its health-related effects are among the most sought-after topics. Many people are worried about the impact of frequent masturbation and how they can refrain from such acts.
However, masturbation is a natural act, and it is natural to desire to masturbate for sexual relief. Both men and women practice masturbation for sexual pleasure and mental relaxation.
Common ill effects linked to masturbation are kidney issues, back pain, and UTI. This article explores the credibility of such claims concerning masturbation.
Is Masturbation Harmful?
There is no scientific evidence that masturbation causes any kind of health condition. However, moral doubts can put you in uncomfortable situations and guilt.
Excessive masturbation is a different issue. Remember that moderation is key, and consider turning it down a notch if you believe that masturbation is negatively impacting your relationships and daily life.
After all, excessive masturbation might decrease your sexual sensitivity and leave you too exhausted to have sex with your significant other.
On the other hand, regular orgasms have several health benefits. One of the major benefits is, it boosts mental health by releasing happy hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins.
Therefore, it is advisable to masturbate occasionally to preserve mental health and lower the likelihood of tension and bad emotions.
Benefits of Masturbation
Masturbation in moderation is highly beneficial for both your physical and mental health. Several scientific studies have hinted at the potential benefits of masturbation on our health.
Some of the benefits offered by occasional masturbation in moderation are:
i). Stress relief
When you masturbate, happy hormones like dopamine and oxytocin are released. By triggering the body to create endorphins that ease tension and encourage relaxation, masturbation can be a natural stress buster.
ii). Enhanced sexual performance
Masturbation enhances sexual performance by promoting blood supply to the vaginal region. Additionally, it helps individuals to explore their bodies and pleasure points for a more satisfying sexual experience with their partner.
iii). Improved sleep quality
Masturbation helps promote quality sleep by releasing chemicals that reduce stress and encourage relaxation. It eases tension and stress and improves sleep.
iv). Pain relief
Masturbation relieves pelvic discomfort, including the pain of the prostate and menstrual cramps. Endorphins released during sexual arousal help relieve pain in the other parts of the body.
v). Emotional wellbeing
Masturbation helps with mental health by lowering stress and anxiety. Additionally, it elevates mood and increases confidence and self-worth.
Are there any side effects of masturbation?
Masturbation, when done in moderation, has no ill effects on your body. It can have numerous benefits for your physical and mental health.
Masturbation is unlikely to cause pain or health issues to your kidneys. However, if you have pain in your lower back after masturbation, the pain is likely due to poor posture during the masturbation.
You can reduce the pain using a heat pack or by taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine.
Some health risks of masturbation are:
UTI
While masturbating, If you don’t follow hygiene practices, there is a high chance that you can develop a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). People with vaginas are more likely to get UTIs than people with penises.
Symptoms of a UTI include:
- Burning sensation in the genitals while urinating
- Constant urge to pee or urinate
- Abdominal pain
- Bad-smelling in urine
- Cloudy urine
- Bleeding while urinating
UTIs can spread to your kidneys if left untreated. A kidney infection is a serious condition that requires immediate medical treatment. Along with the symptoms of a bladder infection, it can cause:
- Fever
- Sharp pain in your lower back
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
If you experience pain after masturbating, seek medical attention as soon as possible for proper examination and treatment.
Guilt
Many people think and feel that masturbation affects their religious, or cultural beliefs and experience feeling guilt. However, masturbation is neither wrong nor immoral, and self-pleasure is not a shameful act.
Talking to a friend or healthcare professional or a therapist who specializes in sexual health might help you overcome the feelings of guilt or shame associated with masturbation.
Reduced sexual sensitivity
Excessive or aggressive practices of masturbation may lead to a lack of sexual sensitivity. Men who practice aggressive masturbation techniques with too tight a grip on their penis might experience reduced sensation.
A man can overcome this problem over time with a change in masturbation technique.
Using sexual equipment such as a vibrator can increase arousal and overall sexual activity in both men and women. Women who use vibrators have reported enhanced sexual activity and lubrication, while men have experienced improved erections for a long time.
Prostate cancer
There is no sufficient scientific data to identify whether masturbation increases or decreases the risk of prostate cancer. More research is needed to understand the risk factors before concluding the matter.
A study conducted in 2003 stated that men who ejaculated more than five times per week in their 20s were one-third less likely to get aggressive prostate cancer compared to those who ejaculated less often.
Several researchers have come to a preliminary conclusion that frequent ejaculation might decrease the build-up of cancer-causing agents in the prostate gland, which might lead to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. However, this conclusion warrants further research.
In a study conducted in 2016, researchers found a link between frequent ejaculation and reduced risk of prostate cancer. The research stated that men who ejaculate 21 times or more each month had a lower chance of getting prostate cancer.
Disturbing daily life
Some individuals might masturbate excessively, even multiple times a day, which can disturb their daily life and result in problems like:
- Interfere person’s daily activity
- Make them miss their work, school, or important social events
- Impact on their relationships and responsibilities
- Serve as an alternative for real-life problems
Handling ill effects of masturbation
Excessive masturbation techniques can potentially affect your genitals, as well as your mental and social health.
Talking to a sex therapist might help with excessive masturbation. They might also suggest you various ways of managing your sexual behavior.
Conclusion
There’s no scientific evidence that masturbation is bad for your kidneys or causes health concerns. Masturbation may have potential health benefits like raising your mood or helping you get a goodnight's sleep.
The choice to masturbate is up to you and should not be based on moral and societal views. If you’re worried you may be masturbating too frequently, talking about your feelings with a sex therapist or somebody you trust can be beneficial.
FAQs
1. Is it okay to masturbate?
Ans: The desire to masturbate and attain sexual satisfaction is completely natural and is common among men and women around the world. When done in moderation, masturbation can have multiple benefits for your physical, mental, and sexual health.
2. Why do I feel guilty when I masturbate?
Ans: Several societies consider masturbation to be taboo, or it is seen as an obscene and inappropriate act. Growing up with such societal morals can make masturbation appear as a grave wrong in our minds. This can lead to feelings of guilt after masturbation.
3. Can masturbation affect sexual performance?
Ans: Masturbation has the potential to both positively and negatively affect your sexual performance. When done in moderation, it can improve your libido and also help you find your pleasure thresholds. However, when done excessively, it can decrease your sexual sensitivity and can lead you to feel disconnected from your partner when being intimate.
4. Why does masturbation improve mood?
Ans: Masturbation triggers the release of hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins in the body. These are happy hormones and stress-relieving hormones. This can help improve mood post-masturbation.
5. Is excessive masturbation bad?
Ans: Excessive masturbation can have several ill effects on your body as well as on your daily and social lives. Being obsessed and masturbating multiple times a day can cause you to neglect various essential activities like work and social life. It can also lead you to associate sexual pleasure with yourself instead of your partner. It can also potentially cause damage to your genitals when done vigorously. Therefore, moderation is key when it comes to masturbation.
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